Head-to-head · Nonprofit Project Management
Smartsheet vs OpenProject
Smartsheet leads on 0 checks, OpenProject on 1, and 0 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 1 yes/no, price and count check where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreSmartsheet · 8.8/10
- Free planonly OpenProject
- Free trialboth
Smartsheet scores higher on our rubric for nonprofit project management: 8.8 against 8.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #6 and #8.
OpenProject offers free plan; Smartsheet doesn't.
Smartsheet is the better fit for nonprofits coordinating portfolios and approvals. OpenProject is the better fit for nonprofits needing open-source and self-hosted control.
- Smartsheet fits best
Nonprofits coordinating portfolios and approvals
- OpenProject fits best
Nonprofits needing open-source and self-hosted control
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Side by side
| Feature | Smartsheet 8.8/10 Visit ↗ | OpenProject 8.6/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 8.8 | 8.6 |
| Ranking | #6 in Nonprofit Project Management | #8 in Nonprofit Project Management |
| Best for | Nonprofits coordinating portfolios and approvals | Nonprofits needing open-source and self-hosted control |
| Pricing model | Paid | Free plan + paid |
| Starting price | $12/user/mo | €5.95/user/mo |
| Free plan | — | ✓ (best) |
| Free trial | 30 days | 14 days |
| Free trial length | 30 days · no card needed | 14 days |
| Deployment | Cloud, Mobile | Cloud, Self-hosted |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android | Web |
| Support | Live chat, Tickets, Docs | Email, Phone, Tickets, Community, Docs |
| Compliance | SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, HIPAA, SSO/SAML | GDPR, ISO 27001, SSO/SAML, 2FA |
| Integrations | 15 integrations | 6 integrations |
| Built for | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise |
| Features Smartsheet 0/4 · OpenProject 0/4 | ||
| Nonprofit discount | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Workflow automation | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Guest collaboration | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Mobile apps | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Specs | ||
| Project views | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Tasks per project | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Our review | ||
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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| Our verdict | For nonprofits coordinating projects across programs, Smartsheet brings task tracking, portfolio planning, forms, reports, and workflow automation into a cloud work management platform. Teams can switch among grid, board, Gantt, calendar,… Read the review → |
OpenProject brings classic, agile, and hybrid project planning into one open-source system. Nonprofits can manage work packages for tasks, risks, bugs, milestones, and project phases, then coordinate timelines through Gantt charts, boards,… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
Smartsheet — where it wins
- Portfolio tools pair with workload tracking and resource planning.
- Conditional forms and workflows support approvals, alerts, and updates.
- Guests and Contributors enable collaboration beyond internal teams.
Where it doesn't
- There is no free plan; Pro starts at $12 per user monthly.
- Workload tracking and unlimited automations require the Business plan.
- Portfolio and scenario planning are reserved for Enterprise.
OpenProject — where it wins
- Free Community edition is self-managed with unlimited users and projects
- Combines Gantt scheduling, agile boards, calendars, and time tracking
- Supports budgets, reporting, portfolios, and custom permissions
Where it doesn't
- Community support is forum- and ticket-based rather than professional support
- Paid tiers add costs per user each month
- Broad feature set may be more than a team needs for simple task tracking
- Smartsheet8.8/10 · 30-day trial
Portfolio planning, approvals, and workload management for nonprofit teams—without a free plan.
Visit SmartsheetFull verdict → - OpenProject8.6/10 · Free plan · 14-day trial
A flexible project suite for nonprofits that want control over deployment and workflows.
Visit OpenProjectFull verdict →
More comparisons
All nonprofit project management comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update